Mrs. Tao looked at Xuanxuan distressedly. This girl lost her parents when she was six years old. The emperor named this girl as the county lady because of her cousin's husband's contribution. Although she has the title of county lady, it is really hard for an orphan to live. This girl has grown up and has not had a few days of comfort. Finally, she has someone she likes. Mrs. Tao said, "Don't worry. Mr. Zhou's wife is not someone you can easily mess with. According to my understanding, she has a good impression of you."
Su Xuan blinked, "Really?"
It was rare for Mrs. Tao to see the flamboyant girl lack confidence, so she smiled and said, "Of course it's true. Your reputation is nothing. Zhou Jiayang's reputation is not as good as yours. The Zhou family has never been shy about it, which shows that the Zhou family is kind."
Of course, the Zhou family is kind-hearted, but they are a group of cunning people.
However, she had a good impression of the Zhou family because she knew that there was a Miss Wu in the Zhou family. People can pretend for a while but not for a lifetime, so after knowing Xuanxuan's idea, although it was too proactive, she still helped very hard, because the Zhou family was indeed good.
Among all the officials in Jinzhou, Lord Zhou's backyard is the most harmonious, and there is nothing messy at all. Of course, the most important thing is that the Zhou family does not have any concubines, let alone a main room.
There is no need to mention how much Mr. Zhou loved Yang. They have detailed information in their hands, which says that several sons of the Zhou family only stayed with their original wives. It is said that the Zhou family does not allow concubines.
Even if we don't take into account that Lord Zhou is the emperor's confidant, just based on the family tradition and the policy of not taking concubines, the fourth son of the Zhou family is an excellent son-in-law in the eyes of many families.
Tao thought that even if her daughter hadn't been engaged already, she would have been tempted.
Su Xuan saw that her aunt was distracted somewhere, but after hearing what she said, she felt more confident and then smiled foolishly. She had a really good eye.
In the evening, Zhulan talked to Zhou Shuren and said, "You can check with Princess Anhe. If there is really no problem, I will tell Mrs. Tao. It is better to settle this matter as soon as possible to avoid more trouble."
Zhou Shuren also had a headache. "Today I met Lord Ran and Lord Min. Both of them mentioned Changzhi. You are right. It was indeed decided long ago. These people sometimes believe that if I can't get it, no one else can get it either."
Zhulan: "That's what I'm afraid of."
Zhou Shuren hugged his son and said, "I won't bother you anymore. You can continue to settle the accounts."
Zhu Lan looked at Zhou Shuren who was holding his son tightly, and put down the brush in her hand, "I found that my position in your heart has declined since we had a son."
The first thing Zhou Shuren did when he came back was to hug his son, have dinner and go to teach Shi Qing. When he came back, he hugged his son again. He didn't pay much attention to his wife.
Zhou Shuren felt that he was wronged. "I watch over my son more because I feel sorry for you, so that this kid won't keep pestering you."
He had long discovered that his son was particularly attached to his wife, and his mother was in his eyes and heart, especially at night, when he always needed his wife to coax him to sleep.
Zhu Lan snorted, knowing that Zhou Shuren was telling the truth, and sighed, "I calculated my family's assets. I have a lot of money, but Changzhi's wedding will cost a lot."
Zhou Shuren took a closer look and said, "This official has been promoted, and his children's marriages have cost more money. Chang Lian's wedding only cost a few hundred taels, and Chang Zhizhen and the county lady are married, so the betrothal gift is probably over ten thousand taels."
Zhu Lan, "What do you think? Even if it's not Princess Anhe, you should have offered a similar betrothal gift to the daughters of other wealthy families."
She sent someone to inquire in the afternoon. It was really expensive to marry a wife in Jinzhou, as it required furs, cloth, some rare items, and cash. The cost could be as low as several thousand taels or as high as tens of thousands of taels.
She has no experience, so she has to offer a decent betrothal gift, even if it means giving someone the best one. The Zhou family cannot let anyone look down on them.
Zhou Shuren was very upset. "Changzhi is finished. Xuehan is going to get married, and then Mingyun. We can't get enough money to get married."
Zhulan laughed, "Just be happy. Fortunately, your daughter is a child husband. We give her a dowry based on her own wishes. If she married into a big family, the dowry for a daughter would drain the family's wealth."
Zhulan wouldn't know unless she calculated it. Once she calculated it, she realized that she really couldn't sit still and wanted to have a few years of leisure. Bah, her life is full of hard work.
Zhou Shuren stopped teasing his son. "There is still no way to divide the family now, unless everything that needs to be cleaned up is cleaned up, and I don't know how many years it will take. You see, each branch has its own assets. Let them save more of their own assets in the next two years. When Xuehan gets married, we will decide on the number of grandsons and granddaughters in the future. It's up to each branch if they want to have as many as they want."
Zhulan: "It is indeed a good idea."
Having said that, in ancient times, marrying a wife was still a way to make money. Not only did you give a betrothal gift to marry a wife, but you also had to bring a dowry. Even though the betrothal gift was high, the dowry would not be small either, as it would be given to your descendants in the future.
Zhulan thought of the county lady's outfit again and said with a smile, "I find that Changzhi is really blessed."
Zhou Shuren thought to himself, this boy is really blessed, what a good marriage.
The next morning, Zhulan closed the door and refused to see visitors, with the reason being to send Wu Ning home. Zhulan made thorough preparations. The servants and coachmen who were skilled in martial arts were all from the Zhou family. When they arrived in Jinzhou, Zhou Shuren asked Wuchun to find some skilled servants. The Zhou family now had a considerable number of servants.
Zhulan also hired a bodyguard to escort her along the way, and with the gifts she brought back, four carriages were enough to make a grand occasion.
Zhulan sent Wu Ning away and waited for the news that Zhou Shuren would inquire about.
Zhou Shuren did not say anything and had someone capable of doing something useful. By noon, Zhulan had received the complete information. The more she read it, the more satisfied she was. The county manager was indeed an expert in managing the household finances.
Zhulan's eyes lit up after seeing it. How could she not have thought of it? The county lady gave her a significant hint!